Barbados Authorities Removing Roadside Vendors to Regularize Vending Zones: Barbados TODAY Reports

Peter Jeffrey, another small farmer displaced by the initiative, called for more information about the relocation. He suggested improvements to the new selling spot, including bush clearance, improved parking, and ground preparation to prevent muddy conditions.

Jeffrey, who sold fruit and vegetables along the highway for four years, added that the new selling spot along Vallery had potential as long as it was made official that the vendors could operate there.

“As it is right now we are here and we believe this is the spot for us but we don’t know if there will be any changes,” he said. “We tried going back on the highway too but we were moved again. We are satisfied with selling here. We would like some of the bush to get cleared some more to make the area safe and allow for more parking. We would [like] some marl placed on the ground so out here won’t be mucky when it’s wet. We would keep the area clean and tidy and we want the assurance that the police won’t trouble us any more.

“We feel very proud to be feeding Barbadians and we want to keep doing that,” he added, pointing out that the area could be transformed into an official selling site, similar to the vending zone established in Newton.

Alexander confirmed that BARVEN opposes highway vending, except for coconut water and jelly sales. He said: “BARVEN has a stance that highway vending is dangerous, we have never supported highway vending. We support coconut vending but not highway vending.”

He added that the association is in discussions with the government regarding the relocations and assured vendors that official vending zones would be established at various locations across the island.

Alexander said: “BARVEN is meeting with government to discuss the issue (the move). We expect a meeting soon; the hurricane put off that meeting and we are waiting for another date. It has always been BARVEN’s plan to have vendors set up off the highway and it is part of the vending zone policy the government has. So this move is part of that policy. These vendors were moved and others will be moved as well as the policy takes shape.”

The vending zone programme has already seen the relocation of coconut vendors in Newton to a large tented area earlier this year. A prototype vending zone has also been established off Highway 2A at Redman’s Village in St Thomas.

The initiative is backed by the National Vending Act, passed in Parliament in December 2021. The legislation addresses the regulation of vending in Barbados, the protection of vendors’ rights, and related matters.

As the programme continues to unfold, the affected vendors await further clarity from the authorities on their future operating locations and conditions.

(sheriabrathwaite@barbadostoday.bb)